June 9, 2025

Gov. Larry Rhoden is leading a trade delegation to Israel this week that includes meeting with some of the country’s highest-ranking officials.

Rhoden had conversations today with President Isaac Herzog, Speaker of the Knesset Amir Ohana and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar.

“South Dakota continues to be an economic leader – both nationally and internationally. Israel has been a key partner in our state’s economic success, and I was honored to meet with the Israeli leaders to strengthen our relationship,” Rhoden said in a statement.

“By working together with countries across the globe, we will keep South Dakota ‘Open for Opportunity’ for generations to come.”

The governor is leading a business delegation made up of defense and agriculture businesses that are seeking sales in the Israeli market.

“This mission is 100 percent business-driven,” said Jesse Fonkert, president and CEO of South Dakota Trade. “We had a successful mission in November of last year and are back because our businesses are generating real opportunities that have already produced millions in sales and a robust pipeline for even more expansion.”

Rhoden conducted a wreath-laying ceremony at Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, and saw sections of the memorial specific to the Mauthausen concentration camp, which his father helped liberate near the end of World War II.

President Donald Trump’s newly confirmed ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, will host a reception to honor the governor’s visit.

Rhoden also visited the Gandel Rehabilitation Center at the Hadassah Medical Organization’s hospital on Mount Scopus to meet with recovering soldiers who have been injured since the start of the war with Hamas. This stop was coordinated by South Dakota Jewish community leader Carol Rosenthal, who serves as the chair of Hadassah International.

“The Gandel Rehabilitation Center is a beacon of hope that serves as a home where the wounded come to gradually regain their lives through physical and emotional rehabilitation,” Rosenthal said. “I’d like to thank Gov. Rhoden for visiting Hadassah during his time in Israel. I’m confident that he will see first-hand the resilience of the Israeli people and that our Jewish friends and neighbors here in South Dakota will never forget this statement of support.”

The delegation includes Deputy Commissioner Joe Fiala of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, who attended the first trade mission to Israel in November 2024. The visit this week includes a Doing Business in South Dakota seminar, focusing on recruiting foreign direct investment into the state.

“South Dakota was the first state to bring a trade mission to Israel after the horrific attacks on Oct. 7, 2023,” Fiala said. “Being there in person demonstrated our commitment to building relationships with the Israeli people. Our trade missions have created new friendships, stronger business ties and exciting opportunities for our state’s economy.”

Rabbi Mendel Alperowitz of Sioux Falls also is joining Rhoden and the business delegates in Israel.

“Gov. Rhoden has been a true friend to the Jewish community here in South Dakota, and I am incredibly grateful he included me on this visit to the Holy Land,” he said.

The trade mission is the second in the past month. A group recently returned from Mexico.

S.D. trade mission to Mexico produces strong interest in deal-making